2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion Trading Cards

Not many trading card properties can say they've been made into Hollywood blockbusters. Mars Attacks is a notable exception. More than 50 years after its debut, 2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion is the first set to focus solely on a new story line.

The modern take sticks with the original's tradition of fully painted artwork. The 100-card 2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion set takes on a new script. Artists include Earl Norem, Joe Jusko, Greg Staples, Glen Orbik and Ed Repka. These artists carry on the pulp tradition hobby legend Norm Saunders used in the original series, contributing more than 80 new pieces of art. Base cards have a borderless full-bleed design on the front. There aren't even any captions. This is in line with what franchise co-creator, Len Brown, originally envisioned. This way, none of the detailed art is lost or obscured.

The base set has multiple parallels. Heritage cards (1:4 packs) take on the classic look and feel with the new series. Gold Foil parallels land two per box. Concept parallels show cards as a work in progress. Join the Fight Graffiti parallels are a case hit.

Every 2013 Topps Mars Attacks Invasion box comes with a pair of premium inserts. Sketch Cards fall one per box. A total of 50 packs are Loaded Sketch Packs that have four-card puzzles. Double Sketch Cards work on their own but, if combined, form an over-sized piece of artwork. Finally, there are Creator Sketch Cards that come with a different design from regular cards.

Classic Autographs feature some of the biggest names in the franchise's history. They include Len Brown, Earl Norem, Zina Saunders and Simon Bisley. Comic Creator Autographs focus on contributors outside the realm of trading cards: John layman, John McCrea, Keith Giffen and Charles Adlard. Recognizing the impact of the Tim Burton film, a handful of the film's stars have Actor Autographs. Done in partnership with Warner Brothers, the cards have movie stills. Signers include Pam Grier and Frank Welker.

Other hits include Patch Relics, Medallion Relics and Printing Plates. A limited number of stamped 1962 Topps Mars Attacks buybacks have also been inserted in the product.

Ryan Cracknell | E-Mail AuthorRyan is a former member of The Cardboard Connection Writing Staff.
His collecting origins began with winter bike rides to the corner store, tossing a couple of quarters onto the counter and peddling home with a couple packs of O-Pee-Chee hockey in his pocket. Today, he continues to build sets, go after inserts with cool technologies, chase Montreal Expos and finish off his John Jaha master collection and can be found onGoogle+.